White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy visited Hampton Roads on August 3 to tour the region and discuss efforts around coastal resiliency, offshore wind and sustainability. 

Advisor McCarthy began with a visit to the Norfolk International Terminal to discuss flooding and regional coastal resiliency efforts (including a focus on the Navy presence in Hampton Roads and national security implications), the Port of Virginia and offshore wind, supply chain and workforce development.  Ms. McCarthy also visited other areas prone to flooding such as Hampton Boulevard and the Surrey Crescent, and toured the Ohio Creek Watershed project in Norfolk.  The visit concluded at the Brock Center in Virginia Beach where Advisor McCarthy held a roundtable to discuss the work of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the RISE resilience program, heat island research and Norfolk’s Climate Action Plan.

Several federal and local elected officials participated in this event including Congressional Representatives Elaine Luria and Bobby Scott, Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer and Norfolk City Council member and HRPDC Chair Andria McClellan.  Rear Admiral Chip Rock, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic provided input regarding the impact of Climate Change on the military.  Representatives and staff from a number of regional organizations, academic partners and community stakeholders also supported and participated in this event.